Leeb Fruit Orchard

The new production facility for the Leeb Fruit Orchard consists of a large main shed with cold storage and a fruit shop with adjoining spaces. The prefabricated structure was built within four months and the fruit shop and the adjoining spaces were constructed in “passive house” standard, and as self-supporting prefabricated wall and roof elements. The main shed consists of a wooden frame structure with prefabricated insulated wooden box frames and is not heated. The facade of the entire building is composed of OSB panels and varnished in brown and green colors. Two 5 x 6 m sliding doors transform the building from a closed wooden box into a complex architectural composition revealing views into the building and the shop. This gesture is reminiscent of a market stall and was inspired by the client’s first ideas for the building.

Environmental and sustainable aspects of the planning, construction and maintenance of the building were particularly important to the owners Vera and Albert Leeb. The structure was primarily constructed using renewable and recycled materials as well as upcycling products for the furniture. The fruit shop is oriented to the main street with a continuous southwest facing panorama window with triple-panel glass. It is shaded by several large folding aluminum frames which are covered by used advertising banners protecting the interior from overheating in summer. Old bicycle inner tubes were converted to spherical ceiling lights, used laminated wood panels were converted into shelves and cupboards and the sales desk were covered with used printer plates. Used concrete vineyard posts were utilised for the parking lot and other outdoor areas as pavement material allowing rainwater to percolate. The rainwater of the roof is caught in two evaporation basins that are incorporated into the surrounding landscape.